Secret Admirer Read Online Free

relieved she looked casual too. I waved my arms toward the family room behind me. “I’d invite you in, but I’m still drowning in a sea of boxes.”
    “No worries, next time. Let’s head straight there to get a table. Jake’s Gastro Pub is only a three-block walk if you’re up for it. Alec dropped me off.” She pulled a chunky knit hat from her pocket and pulled it down over her curls.
    After swapping out my light trench for a heavier coat, we hit the sidewalk at a brisk pace against the night air. I was relieved to reach the bar moments later and feel my fingers again. I smoothed down my hair while following Bree to the center of the room.
    A lone guy sat at one of two tables that had been pushed together. He quickly got to his feet to greet us, gentleman style when we reached him.
    Bree motioned back and forth between he and I. “Alec, Andi. Andi, Alec.” She kissed Alec and sat next to him.
    I chose a stool across the wooden table. He was good looking in a buttoned-up, serious kind of way. His hairline was receding, but he wasn’t compensating for it with facial hair as so many guys my age were lately.
    We said hello at the same time and laughed, each telling the other to go ahead. The mutual awkwardness made me feel at ease and ready to meet the next set of people heading our way.
    Clare, a secretary employed at our firm, approached and introduced her roommate, Abbie. I’d met Clare briefly on Wednesday, but she worked on the opposite side of the office, and we didn’t run into each other very often. Clare was cute and short, and Abbie was a tall redhead. They both looked a few years younger than me and were very friendly and outgoing without being loud or obnoxious.
    Ethan arrived next, waving to the whole table. “Hi guys. Hi Andi, nice to meet you. I would’ve been here earlier, but I brought dinner to Maggie.” He shrugged out of his leather bomber jacket. “When she gets in a study zone, she might not eat at all or, even worse, binges on energy drinks and candy to keep going—even though as a second-year medical student she knows she needs protein. I brought her a salmon salad, and then I left a chocolate bar and a diet soda on her desk on my way out.”
    “That’s love.” Bree elbowed Alec.
    “Well, someday she’ll be taking care of all of us, or our kids if she goes into pediatrics,” Alec said.
    “No talk of getting old and having kids tonight.” Abbie stuck her fingers in her ears. “Andi will think we’re boring.”
    I laughed politely and thought of the irony. Without this new group, I’d be bored all alone in my apartment. I was glad to be out amongst people who were potential friends.
    By my calculations of the group chat, the only two left were Josh, who said he was coming later, and the guy or girl who had to leave town. Shedding my heavy coat, I ordered a craft beer and employed all the tricks I knew to remember names. Thankfully, they were an energetic, talkative group. I was instantly comfortable amongst them and enjoyed learning about their jobs, hometowns, and colleges in response to my questions.
    “Your turn,” Abbie announced when the second round of drinks arrived.
    I straightened in my wooden stool in preparation for having the spotlight turned on me. “Oh, well, nothing earth shattering to divulge. I grew up in Rhode Island, graduated from Providence College, busted my butt at a big firm while studying for my CPA then landed the job at Pearse three years ago. This opportunity helped me move up internally. The transition has been fantastic so far.”
    “Boyfriend?”
    “Nope.” I lightly combed my fingers through my bangs, aware of their gazes.
    “Ex-boyfriend?”
    I gave a dramatic eye roll. “Not even.”
    “Hit the big three-o yet?”
    “Next July.” I took a big gulp of my beer, hoping to divert attention.
    “I’m only twenty-seven,” Clare spoke up. “But next month is Abbie’s turn. Bree still has a whole year to go.”
    “Or so she says!”